Sugarbush

I struggled to my feet, left leg screaming, and felt my boot fill up with blood. The creature rose up out of the dirt, paused a moment, and lunged forward, mandibles clacking, scythe like talons poised to impale. But despite its size, it was an insect, which made its patterns predictable. I knew how it would attack, saw it shift forward. I stepped laterally, gritting my teeth against the pain, and brought up my sword and shield. Deflect, redirect the attack, strike. Joints are unarmoured; weak points. I buried my sword in its thorax, then dove backward as it swung wildly in death throes. This cider is a brief moment of peace, despite its simplicity and predictability.